Global History Essay Finals

How did the Sui and Tang dynasties modify the Qin/ Han blue-print for empire?

The Sui and Tang emperors took the Qin-Han imperial project and became Buddhist rulers of Chakravartyn. The founder Sui developed a Chan'an plan and the Tan stored it. Tang emperor of Tang Announced code sets. It established the equitable system. In addition, emperors used civil service examinations during the selection of officials to the bureaucracy.

The system of government bureaucracy carried traditional family character. Usually, the ruler was considered a representative of the higher forces of heaven, who acted in their will. He was the son in communion with heaven and a caring father of favorite older sons - officials and other subjected - foolish young children. The emperor was required to enter in contact with great ancestors and to care about people. Having much power and unlimited rights, the emperor ruled the country based on branched bureaucracy, traditions, and laws. Two counsels who represented the imperial household or who were powerful officials helped the Son of Heaven to rule the empire.

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Sui and Tang emperors took perfect Chakravartyn because they were hoping that Buddhism would help them to solve different problems. The founder of Sui obviously simulated on great ruler Chakravartyn Ashoka, whose support for the Buddhist order was well known in China. He donated money for the construction of monasteries throughout China and commanded to repeat prayers on the birthday of Buddha. He also built new Chan'an capital.

The Sui Dynasty could not hold the power for a long time

The reason for this was unwise domestic and foreign policy, which exhausted resources of the country. The answer to exorbitant operation appeared in a form of strikes. In 610 an uprising broke out which ended with punishment of officials and feudal lords. The riot attempted to establish an independent kingdom led by Dou Tszyande. On the 18 June 618 the military leader Li Yuan proclaimed himself the Emperor Gao-Tszu. Since he was a prince of the Tang area, the new dynasty was named after it. Ancestors of Lee Yuan came from Chinese aristocracy, which occupied high positions in the empire Wei and Northern Zhou. The capital city he chose was Chan'an.

State ideology was Confucianism, but Buddhism and Taoism were allowed as well. Li Yuan managed to achieve support of various population groups, subjecting the most influential nobles to execution regime, declaring country's political opponents amnesty, opening government coffers to stop famine, and eliminating violent laws. However, death penalty for murder, robbery, treason, and rebellion remained. The emperor abolished the tax payable for previous years and limited the terms of the state serfdom. He also released peasants ho were sold to slavery. The new government was struggling against floods and promoted trade.

Taizong was authoritative and wise ruler, who had great political sense and tact

He took into account experiences of missed opportunities of his predecessors. The set of laws was one the greatest achievements of Taizong, so called Code of Tang. It was developed to assist local magistrates to control and judge debate. For example, with a help of this code they could distinguish killing, assassination, and a variety of penalties.

Under the provisions of equal-field system, every three years authorities held census of all the residents and made register transfers of every household. For each farm owner some land was allocated for temporary and permanent use. In addition, everyone had to pay a fixed tax. However, historians doubt about the level of control over all these measures.

Empress Wu was Chinese empress during the Tang Dynasty, the actual ruler of the Empire during the reign of Chzhun Zong. She was so strong and tough that around 705 she was dropped at the age of 80 also being ill those days. Empress Wu commissioned building Buddhist monasteries throughout China so that the Great Cloud Sutra could be read aloud. Empress Wu contributed to the spread of the Great Cloud Sutra, which anticipated unavoidable reincarnation of Buddha as a female monarch. All anxiety, sickness, and misfortune would leave this world, thus ensuring Buddhist credibility of accession to the throne.